A dazzling showpiece in the style of a Russian galop, with
jazzy American harmonies; Movement 3 from Concerto for Solo Percussion and
Orchestra.- PREMIERE: Alan Gilbert conducting the
Haddonfield Symphony; Dean Witten solo xylophone.
- PUBLISHED on rental by Theodore Presser Company; score available for
sale.
- INSTRUMENTATION: 2(Picc)222-4331 Timp 3Perc Hp Strings
- ALSO AVAILABLE for Xylophone with Piano or with Band.- REVIEW: extended review in Percussive
Notes magazine.
- AUDIO EXCERPT from
premiere-PROGRAM
NOTES

Billy and the
Carnival: A Children's Guide to Musical Instruments
for Narrator
and Orchestra (14')

Narrated guide to instruments based on an original story - a boy goes to his
local park and is surprised to meet musicians coming to a concert there. As he
meets musicians they play their instruments, so demonstrations of each
instrument fit the story.

- COMMISSIONED by the Concerto
Soloists Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia for contrabassoonist Norman
Spielberg.- PREMIERED November 3, 1991 by Concerto Soloists Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia,
Norman Spielberg contrabassoon; James Freeman guest conductor.- PERFORMANCES include 2010 IDRS Convention, Louisville Orchestra,
and others with leading guest contrabassoon soloists.
- ALSO AVAILABLE for Contrabassoon with Clarinet, Horn, and Piano.- PUBLISHED by Theodore Presser Company. - REVIEWS:
"Repertory for the contrabassoon
has been significantly enhanced of late by the addition of concertos by Daniel
Dorff..."
- MLA Notes (Christopher Weait), December 1993.
"An excellent new concerto... in a very listenable and audience-appealing
style. Dorff has written a number of fine compositions and has crafted here an
excellent new work for the contrabassoonist."
- The Double Reed
(Ron Klimko), Spring 1993.
"(The concert) was jammed with people who were obviously pleased they were
there. A local composer with a growing international reputation presented a
world premiere that deserved the response the audience gave it."
- Philadelphia
Welcomat (Purdom), November 13, 1991.
"This is a work that could effectively introduce the rarely heard solo
contrabassoon to audiences of any age or experience. It has the happy
characteristic of being easily understood. Performers will appreciate its
professionally clear notation and effective orchestration."- MLA Notes
(Christopher Weait), March 1995."I'm
sure all contrabassoon players will treasure this addition to their ...
repertoire."

- COMMISSIONED by the Etowah Youth Orchestras for pianist Jeffrey Biegel.
- PUBLISHED by Theodore Presser Company (full score and two-piano version for
sale, orchestra parts on rental).

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Concerto for Solo
Percussion and Orchestra (20')

-
COMMISSIONED by the Polish Chapter of the
Percussive Arts Society for the International Music Workshops in Bydgoszcz,
Poland.
- PREMIERED March 18, 1995 by Haddonfield (NJ) Symphony, Dean Witten, solo
percussion, Alan Gilbert, conductor.
- PUBLISHED by Theodore Presser Company: Solo part alone (114-40751);
Complete piano reduction alone (114-40751A); Full score (416-41193);
orchestra parts on rental.
- INSTRUMENTATION: 2(Picc)222-4331 Timp 3Perc Hp Strings
- ALSO AVAILABLE: See Allegro Volante above - Movement III is a
xylophone stand-alone showpiece.
- EXTENDED REVIEW: link
to complete review in Percussive Notes magazine.- REVIEWS:
"impressive... highlighted the concert... It exploits the full range of
sonorities and technical possibilities of a whole arsenal of percussion
instruments... most arresting... a joyous finale... bold and extroverted but
also filled with sensitive details."
- Camden Courier-Post (Baxter),
March 22, 1995.
"it is only a truly inventive and inspired composer like Mr. Dorff who is able
to go one step further [than just using many percussion instruments] and create
unusual sounds, textures, and combinations that work for the listener."
-
Maestro Alan Gilbert, Music Director of the NY Philharmonic-PROGRAM
NOTES

- PERFORMANCES INCLUDE the DC Youth Orchestra televised on over 300 PBS-TV
stations to an audience over 8,000,000 on the MENC "World's Largest
Concert."
- ALSO AVAILABLE for Saxophone Quartet, Clarinet Quartet, and Bassoon Quartet.- PUBLISHED by Theodore Presser Company (parts on rental, score available for sale).
- INSTRUMENTATION: 222(Bcl)2 4330 1or2Perc Strings
-AUDIO EXCERPT: Harmo
Saxophone Quartet playing the sax version

Goldilocks and the
Three Bearsfor Narrator with Mixed Octet
or Orchestra (8')

A
traditional telling that highlights small-medium-large contrasts, and
varying repetitions in the story; at the end Goldilocks apologizes for her
actions and cooks the bears' first-ever pancake breakfast.

1) OCTET VERSION: Flute, Clarinet, Bass Trombone, Harp, 1 Percussion, Violin, Cello, and Bass- COMMISSIONED and PREMIERED by the Minnesota Orchestra Volunteer
Association for Kinder Konzerts. 51 performances, 2000-2001 season; encored for 50 performances
in the 2006-07 season.
- OCTET PERFORMANCES also include Aspen Music Festival and Parlance
Chamber Concerts (members of the Metropolitan Opera orchestra).
- PUBLISHED on rental by Theodore Presser Company; score available for
sale.
-
TEACHING/CURRICULUM USE: Serves as a story-based way to introduce
variations on recurring patterns, and to show the correlation between
small-medium-large and high-medium-low sounds.
- RECORDED (octet version) by Symphony In C, conducted by Rossen Milanov, featuring
Ann Crumb as narrator, on Bridge Records 9229.
- AUDIO
EXCERPTS from the CD (octet version):1) "Once
upon a time, there were three bears."
(bars 1-16)2)
The entrance of Goldilocks (bars 38-51)3)
The happy ending (bars 244-end)

-
COMMISSIONED and PREMIERED by Haddonfield Symphony; February 16, 2002; Rossen Milanov conducting.
- PUBLISHED on rental by Theodore Presser Company; score available for
sale.
- INSTRUMENTATION: 3(Alto,Picc)3(EH)3(TSx)2 4331 Timp
3Perc Hp Strings
- REVIEW: "The
performance encourages me to delve further into the music of the composer....
A world premiere from a relatively young yet established composer is always
thrilling, especially when the music is as enjoyable as that of the
orchestra's composer-in-residence, Daniel Dorff... The performance was
stunning perhaps because the musicians seemed to be enthusiastic about the
score. This certainly reflects well on the composer. The audience
clearly felt and responded to the music.... I was delighted to hear such
unabashed melodic writing."- Classical
New Jersey, 3/7/02
-
AUDIO EXCERPTS from the premiere:
from the starry background (bars 8-16) from the scherzo of budding new
love (bars 107-125)from the lust
section (bars 239-257)from the kiss-climax
(bars 339-348)
-PROGRAM NOTES

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Lamentationsfor String Orchestra (5')

- COMPOSED for the Santa Monica Civic
Orchestra, Frank Fetta, Music Director.
- PERFORMANCES include Concerto Soloists Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Marc
Mostovoy conductor.
- REVIEW: "Worthy of the spotlight... the most interesting and sensitively performed on
the concert... the composer should be heard from again."
- Philadelphia Inquirer (Valdes), October 27, 1987.
- PUBLISHED on rental from Theodore Presser Company, score available for sale.-PROGRAM NOTES

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Pachelbel's Christmasfor Orchestra (4½')

44 Christmas melodies in canon and quodlibet over
the Pachelbel Canon.
Perfect for Christmas Pops concerts!- PUBLISHED on rental from Theodore Presser Company,
score available for sale
- INSTRUMENTATION: 2(Picc)222 2(or 4)221 2Perc
Timp Strings
- ALSO AVAILABLE for Brass Quintet.
- REVIEW: "This
is a clever, original and amusing number which will add spice to the Christmas
concert."-
Winds
Magazine (UK), Summer 1990 -AUDIO EXCERPT (bars 100-126)-PROGRAM
NOTES

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Philly Rhapsodyfor Orchestra (11')

Homage to The Sound of Philadelphia (Philly International Records' rhythm &
blues style) and "The Philadelphia Sound" of the Philadelphia
Orchestra, as a hybrid of these two traditions.
- COMMISSIONED by Network
for New Music for Philadelphia's Creative and Performing
Arts H.S.
- PUBLISHED on rental by Theodore Presser Company, score available for
sale.
- INSTRUMENTATION: 3(Picc)23(Bcl)2 4331 Pno Hp DrumSet
3Perc (no Timp) Strings
[Ob2, Bn2, Hn3&4 may be omitted].

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Summer
Solstice Concertofor Clarinet and String Orchestra
(19')

-
PREMIERE by Orchestra
2001, Arne Running, solo clarinet; James Freeman, conductor; March 30,
1994, Philadelphia.
- PERFORMANCES have also included Chicago Symphony's John Yeh
and Colorado Symphony's Bil Jackson. Jazz great Eddie Daniels is also
available.
- PUBLISHED by Theodore Presser Company; clarinet/piano version also
available.
- REVIEWS:"Summer
Solstice is very pleasant music - light without being insubstantial,
melodic without being obvious.It
has an invariably American sound."
-
Peter
Dobrin, Philadelphia Inquirer, 4/2/94

"Summer
Solstice opened with Arne Running's jazzy, dancing clarinet playing in
front of the kind of American country fair music that makes you feel like
someone should step out of the crowd and start dancing.The slow movement was easy and full. The finale was sweet and driving."

-
Tom Purdom, Philadelphia Welcomat, 4/20/94

"Daniel
Dorff's Summer Solstice was the
palatable dessert, while mid-century music of... Schnittke was the experimental
main course."

"Gave
a distinctive contemporary accent to the Haddonfield Symphony's third program
of the season... For those who brave the first storm of winter - and most did
- there was much to enjoy...Dorff's 18-minute piece cast a friendly glow with its
jaunty rhythms and sunny musical themes.Summer
Solstice falls on the ears like the graceful caress of a warm day.Superbly performed, the score radiated an old-fashioned charm.The three-movement score is a gift for a superb soloist."

-
Robert
Baxter, Camden Courier-Post, 2/10/97

"a
delightful three-movement work for which the description "rollicking" is
most often the apt word. a celebration of summer filled with bright harmonies
and happy spirit.

"

-
Paul
Somers, Classical New Jersey, 2/12/97

"Summer
Solstice
is lyrical and fresh as rainwater. [John] Yeh gave a bright turn to its tangled
tunes and merry melodies and a subtly nuanced performance of the languid
larghetto. His clarinet cut like a lean laser above the lush cohesive
strings."
-
Dorothy Andries, Pioneer Press, March 1998

John Yeh and Alan Gilbert applauding the composer
after their performance.

Sunburst
for Solo Violin with
String Orchestra (3')

- COMMISSIONED and PREMIERED by the Colorado Symphony's Up Close and
Musical series for 20-30 performances (1998-2000 seasons), to demonstrate sounds
and colors of the violin.
- PERFORMANCES include Nashville Symphony
- PUBLISHED on rental from Theodore Presser Company, score available for sale.

Take the Orchestra Out to
the Ballgamefor Narrator with Quintet or Orchestra (5')

Through
musical and mood variations on "Take Me Out to the Ballgame,"
the narrator tells a story of your local orchestra's baseball team playing
against the nearest professional team.

A comical telling of the Aesop fable, featuring
Contrabassoon and Clarinet as the Tortoise and the Hare. Themes are
exaggeratedly low/slow and high/fast to illustrate contrasts in music. This is a
stand-alone movement taken from Three Fun Fables (see below).

1) OCTET VERSION:
Clarinet, Contrabassoon, Trumpet, Trombone, Violin, Bass, Percussion, Harp- COMMISSIONED and PREMIERED by the Minnesota Orchestra Volunteer
Association for Kinder Konzerts. 52 performances, 1996-97 season; encored for 50 performances
in the 2003-04 season, and another 48 in the 2010-11 season.
- OCTET PERFORMANCES also include Chicago Pro Musica, Aspen Music
Festival, and Parlance
Chamber Concerts (members of the Metropolitan Opera orchestra).
- PUBLISHED on rental from Lauren Keiser Music; score available for
sale.
-
TEACHING/CURRICULUM USE: A very clear illustration of
"opposites" in music, making clear contrasts between the low and
slow tortoise (contrabassoon) and high, fast hare (clarinet). Frequently
used for this purpose in educational concerts.
- RECORDED by Symphony In C, conducted by Rossen Milanov, featuring Ann
Crumb as narrator, on Bridge Records 9229.
- Instrumentation makes this a perfect companion for L'Histoire du
Soldat performances.
- AUDIO
EXCERPTS provided below under Three
Fun Fables. -PROGRAM NOTES

1. The Fox and the Crow
(features Trumpet and
Bass)
2. The Dog and His Reflection (features Trombone and Violin/Harp/Percussion)
3. The Tortoise and the Hare (features Contrabassoon and Clarinet)
Each character is portrayed by an instrument, allowing for pre-concert
illustrations to help instrument recognition, musical contrasts, and familiarity
with the story and music.

1) OCTET VERSION: Clarinet,
Contrabassoon, Trumpet, Trombone, Violin, Bass, Percussion, Harp- COMMISSIONED and PREMIERED by the Minnesota Orchestra Volunteer
Association for Kinder Konzerts. 52 performances, 1996-97 season; encored for 50 performances
in the 2003-04 season, and another 48 in the 2010-11 season.
- OCTET PERFORMANCES also include Chicago Pro Musica, Aspen Music
Festival, and Parlance
Chamber Concerts (members of the Metropolitan Opera orchestra).
- PUBLISHED on rental from Lauren Keiser Music; score available for
sale.
-
TEACHING/CURRICULUM USE: Three familiar stories use humor, irony, and
contrast, to illustrate "opposites" in music, and introduce
characteristic sounds and moods of the instruments.
- RECORDED by Symphony In C, conducted by Rossen Milanov, featuring Ann
Crumb as narrator, on Bridge Records 9229.
- Instrumentation makes this a perfect companion for L'Histoire du
Soldat performances.
-
REVIEWS:
"I was very pleased to have the opportunity to conduct this work in a Philadelphia
Orchestra Family Concert in April of 2000.Mr. Dorff's work is exciting, engaging, and funny for the children, as
well as containing some very good learning experiences from the wonderful
Aesop's fables.It is very
skillfully written for the orchestra, and uses the instruments in a most
effective way.I can recommend this
work with great enthusiasm for a Family or Children's Concert."

- Wolfgang Sawallisch, Music Director, Philadelphia Orchestra

"delightful"

- Ted Shen, Chicago Sun-Times, 4/12/01
"the
hit of the show. more fun for adults than children"